ITD’s Freight Program seeks representatives to help shape freight’s future

Help shape Idaho’s freight future! The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking representatives to serve on the Freight Advisory Committee. The group is made of six members, one representing each of ITD’s administrative districts.

The individual selected for District 1 will represent Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties
The individual selected for District 2 will represent Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties
The individual selected for District 3 will represent Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Washington, and Valley counties
The individual selected for District 4 will Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls counties
The individual selected for District 5 will represent Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power counties
The individual selected for District 6 will represent Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Teton, and Madison counties

The Freight Advisory Committee (FAC) was created to advise ITD on issues related to freight transportation in Idaho. FAC members gather and speak on behalf of the following industries:

Rail, Highway/Trucking
Aeronautics
Port/Barge
Agriculture
Natural Resource
Manufacturing/Retail
Carrier/Shipping
Freight Logistics/Warehousing

Applications for FAC representatives in each of the six districts will be accepted June 21 – July 21, 2021. A 15-day public comment period on the candidates will then follow. Find the application form and instructions at itd.idaho.gov/freight under the Freight Program and Get Involved tabs, or also linked here.

For more information about FAC or the application, contact ITD Freight Program Manager Scott Luekenga at (208) 334-8057 or by email at scott.luekenga@itd.idaho.gov

Work on US-93 from the Nevada State Line to Hollister to begin next week

Image of Welcome to Idaho sign on US-93 at Nevada/Idaho border

On Monday, (June 21) a sealcoat project is expected to begin on US-93 in Twin Falls County. Over the coming weeks, approximately 27 miles from the Nevada State Line to Hollister will be addressed.

“This project will cover a substantial amount of highway but operations are expected to move fairly quickly,” Project Manager Kenny Lively stated. “We will begin work at the Nevada State Line and then proceed north on US-93 through Hollister.”

Sealcoating is a surface treatment to preserve and extend the lifetime of roadways. It also provides a skid-resistant surface for better traction. The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for chips to properly adhere to oil that is deposited on the highway.

Work will require US-93 to be reduced to one lane while work is underway – Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Motorists should anticipate delays and watch for the presence of flaggers or pilot cars.

Chips placed during the sealcoating process have potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay attention to reduced speeds and no passing zones throughout the work area.

Geneva Rock Products is the primary contractor on this $1.6 million project that is expected to be complete in July.

Two-week online discussion opens today for Idaho 75 project in Ketchum

Image of ID-75 in relation to the Elkhorn Road to River Street project

The Idaho Transportation Department invites community members to give input on concept design options to improve Idaho 75 from Elkhorn Road to River Street via an online discussion at itdprojects.org/idaho-75-elkhorn-road. The online discussion will be open from June 10 to June 24.

The online discussion includes short video presentations that will guide participants through each design option being considered through the project limits. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input and see comments from other community members.

The Idaho Transportation Department will also be hosting an in-person meeting at the Limelight Hotel in Ketchum on June 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The meeting will be in open house format. Individuals are invited to stop by at any time during the meeting and visit with project team members who will be on hand to discuss design options and answer questions.

Growth and development in recent years have resulted in increased congestion on Idaho 75. This project aims to address those issues, and will result in design plans for widening the highway between Elkhorn Road and River Street, rebuilding the Trail Creek Bridge and improving drainage and other infrastructure. This is the second outreach opportunity for community members to discuss this project.

“This portion of Idaho 75 is a vital link to the overall corridor and to the Wood River community,” ITD Project Manager Nathan Jerke stated. “We are following up on the comments received last year about the proposed improvements in an effort to meet community expectations and needs of the Idaho highway system.”

The in-person meeting will have two identical rooms set up to maximize participation. A limited number of people will be allowed in a room at once. Information covered at the in-person meeting will be identical to information presented in the online meeting.

Comments may be submitted via the website or by calling (208) 886-7809, emailing nathan.jerke@itd.idaho.gov or sending mail to the Idaho Transportation Department (216 S Date St., Shoshone, ID 83352) at the attention of Nathan Jerke.

Public invited to attend an open house next week for Idaho Highway 75 construction in Hailey

On Wednesday, June 16, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will host a public meeting for the Idaho Highway 75 Hailey Main Street Rehabilitation project. This is part of a larger project that began in May with updates to pedestrian ramps along Main Street (ID-75).

The open house will provide an opportunity for individuals to learn more about the second phase of the project, which begins in mid-July, and will involve work on the roadway.

The meeting will be held in open house format and members of the project team will be available to answer questions about upcoming construction and impacts. Individuals are invited to stop by anytime during the open house to view display boards and talk with the project team.

Date: June 16, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Hailey City Hall, 115 Main St. South, Hailey, ID

An online version of the meeting will be available for those unable to attend in-person. It will be accessible on June 17 via the project website: itdprojects.org/projects/id-75-hailey-main-street

For questions or comments before or after the public meeting, please call 208.608.6635 to speak with a member of the project team.

Additional closure planned next week for Interstate 84 Exit 201 near Kasota

Due to unexpected weather impacts, all ramps at Interstate 84 Exit 201 and Idaho Highway 25 underneath the interstate will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday (June 1 – 2) to allow for crews to complete work on the roadway.

“We had planned for this phase of construction to be finished by the end of May, but rain in the region delayed our original timeline,” ITD Project Manager Sam Purser said.

The roadway will remain open through Memorial Day weekend, but drivers on I-84 will need to use Exits 194 or 208 during the closure next week. County roads will not be affected.

This is part of a larger project to resurface eight miles of ID-25 from the I-84 interchange to Paul in order to provide a better driving surface for motorists and help extend the life of the roadway.

“We appreciate the patience of drivers as we work to complete construction,” Purser stated. “Even with this minor setback, we still anticipate the project to be complete by late summer.”

Work to begin next week on US-93 in Lincoln County

Construction is expected to begin Tuesday (June 1) on a pavement restoration project near Shoshone. Throughout the summer, crews will rehabilitate the base and resurface the roadway to provide a smoother and safer driving experience for motorists.

“We will begin work on the east side of Shoshone and then continue toward Marley for approximately 12 miles,” ITD Project Manager Tom Logan stated. “This project will use a combination of new and existing roadway materials to stabilize and extend the life of the highway.”

The E 20 North intersection will also be reconstructed as part of this project to improve safety and curves will be upgraded and realigned to meet current standards where necessary.

While crews are on site, the roadway will be reduced to a single lane – Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the possibility of some work occurring on Saturdays. Flaggers and pilot cars will be present to direct traffic through the work zone. Motorists are advised to slow down and watch for workers and heavy equipment in the area.

Knife River Corporation is the primary contractor on this $7 million project that is expected to be complete in September.

ID-55 Smiths Ferry project transitions to summer work schedule

Spring construction is wrapping up on Idaho Highway 55 between Smiths Ferry and Rainbow Bridge. Thursday, May 27th marks the last day of planned full road closures until September. Friday through Monday during the Memorial Day weekend, both lanes of the highway will be open. Then Tuesday, June 1st, our summer construction schedule begins.

This project will help improve safety and mobility for drivers by widening shoulders, minimizing roadway curves, and installing guardrail in certain locations.

“Our spring construction started in mid-March, and with full road closures Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. crews were able to safely blast rock away from the hillside,” said Project Engineer Alex Deduck. “In two and a half months crews excavated and removed nearly 55,000 cubic yards of material, that’s more than 4,500 truckloads. We’re close to a third of the way through the project now and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we make this a safer drive.”

Crews will continue their work on the highway this summer. June 1 through Labor Day drivers should plan for one-lane alternating traffic day and night Monday through early Friday morning. Both lanes will be open on weekends Friday through Sunday to accommodate busy summer travel.

Watch the video below to see the progress made so far.

Be the first to know project updates by signing up for our text alerts and emails. Just visit our website or text the word “alerts” to 833-480-0255. Project representatives are available 24/7 to answer your questions.

Thank you for your patience as we improve the safety and mobility of ID-55.

US-30 between Bliss and Hagerman to be resurfaced in June and July

Map image of construction zone on US-30 from Bliss to Hagerman

Work is expected to begin Tuesday, June 1 on US-30 in Gooding County. This project will improve approximately eight miles of highway between Bliss and Hagerman.

During construction, crews will first resurface the highway and then apply a sealcoat to protect the new surface and provide better traction for drivers.

“This work will improve the highway and create a better driving experience for motorists,” said ITD Project Manager Travis Hitchcock. “In addition to roadway work, crews will also replace guardrail along the Bliss Grade to improve safety in the area.”

Construction will last through mid-July. Motorists should anticipate short delays and watch for the presence of flaggers or pilot cars to guide them through the one-lane work zone during working hours. Crews are expected to be on site every weekday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Knife River is the primary contractor for this $2.5 million project.

Work to begin next week on Idaho Highway 25 near Eden and Hazelton

Map image of construction zone on ID-25 near Eden

Construction is expected to begin Tuesday (June 1) on Idaho Highway 25 in Jerome County. This work will rehabilitate the roadway from milepost 18, approximately four miles west of Eden, to Interstate 84.

“This project will encompass approximately 13 miles of ID-25,” ITD Resident Engineer John Baxter stated. “Although our work zone will be near Eden and Hazelton, construction operations will not occur within the communities.”

Construction will involve pulverizing the surface of the roadway, adding cement and then compacting materials before placing a new surface on the highway. This will reinforce the existing base and extend the life of the roadway.

While work is underway, the highway will be reduced to a single lane. Motorists are advised to watch for flaggers and pilot cars that will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.

This $3.9 million project is expected to be complete late summer. The primary contractor is Western Construction, Inc.

Idaho Transportation Board puts new money to work across Idaho

LEWISTON – The Idaho Transportation Board approved dozens of new road projects across every corner of the state Wednesday afternoon (May 19) during its regular monthly meeting in Lewiston. The projects include $350 million in construction work that is expected to begin sometime next year.

Many of the projects are part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” transportation funding solution.

“Idaho is the fastest growing state in the nation. To keep up with the demands of a fast-growing state, our historic transportation funding solution helps save Idahoans’ time, keeps us safe on our roads, and makes our state’s economy even stronger,” Governor Little said. “I appreciate the Idaho Transportation Board for acting quickly to put these new funds to work.”

Projects approved today that are ready now include $170 million of Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds to expand Idaho State Highway 16 from its current location at US-20/26 (Chinden Blvd.) to Interstate 84. The board also dedicated $37 million of TECM funds to expand US-20/26 to four lanes from Middleton Road to I-84. Both projects should be under construction next year and will likely be bonded.

In addition, the board approved about $140 million in projects with one-time funds from the Building Idaho’s Future program, along with federal and state COVID Relief funds. This statewide group of projects is focused on critical maintenance and safety needs for highways and bridges from Ashton in eastern Idaho, to the Magic Valley and north to Wallace.

Check this link to see the full list of projects approved across the state.

“We want to thank the Idaho Legislature and Governor for one of the most significant transportation investments in state history,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “Our goal as a board is to be great stewards of this funding. We will work with the department to pick the projects across Idaho that will have the greatest return on investment in improving safety, increasing mobility and addressing Idaho’s rapid growth.”

In addition to $350 million in construction that will begin next year, the board also approved nearly $170 million for project development. This includes environmental planning, design and right-of-way acquisition.

“Project development is very important. The Board wants the department to have projects ready for the Building Idaho’s Future program and to be constantly advancing additional work for any future federal or state funding opportunities,” said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad. “It is our goal to put the money to work as soon as it becomes available.”

The TECM fund was increased to $80 million through House Bill 362 signed by Governor Little earlier this month. The Idaho Transportation Department will leverage those ongoing funds into a Building Idaho’s Future bonding program that could yield as much as $1.6 billion. The goal is to have major safety and expansion corridors financed over the next six to eight years with the bond proceeds.

ITD staff will present potential projects and corridors to include in the bonding program to the Idaho Transportation Board by the end of this year.